Islam’s Holy Month of Fasting, Ramadan, Is Here

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, known as Ramazan or Ramzan, Ramadan is celebrated by people belonging to the Muslim community around the world. Deemed as a holy month, devotees fast and pray, and also indulge in charitable activities for the needy.

This year, Ramadan, in India, will begin on 14th April, a Wednesday, and, end on the evening of May 12, 2021, which is a Wednesday. The Eid-Al-Fitr commences on the evening of 12th May and ends on 13th May. This annual observance is considered to be one of Islam's five pillars. It lasts from one observation to the next of the crescent moon. Ramadan is said to be the commemoration of the first revelation of Prophet Muhammad.

Besides, one of Islam's five pillars is fasting during Ramadan, and those who observe the festival avoid dawn-to-dusk eating and drinking. Unless someone is ill, travelling, having their menstrual cycle, pregnant, diabetic, or elderly; fasting is a must for all adult Muslims. During this time, the pre-dawn meal is regarded as ‘suhur‘ or ‘sehri‘, whereas the feast that tends to happen after a fast break at night is called ‘iftar‘.

Apart from fasting, worship and charity, Ramadan is about when people generally congregate for prayers, visit mosques, gather around celebratory meals to break their daylong fast, throng cafes and exchange visits. It could however be impossible to do due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In India, it is difficult to visit mosques to offer namaz with the restriction imposed amid the second wave of coronavirus.

In fact, it is believed that Prophet Muhammed has received his first Quranic prophecy on ‘Laylat al-Qadr’ — one of five odd-numbered nights that fall during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Eid al-Fitr is being held at the end of the month of Ramadan. The date depends on the new moon's sighting. The festival starts after the sighting has been verified.

The month of Ramadan is an exercise in self-restraint and self-discipline. It is seen as a means of coming close to God, of detoxifying oneself by eliminating desires and vices, physically and spiritually.

Health Benefits of Fasting

While millions of people worldwide have practised Ramadan for more than a thousand years, there are some people who fear that fasting for such a long period might have a negative impact on their health.

In turn, dates that are consumed throughout Ramadan, are a perfect way to get some fibre which helps and enhances digestion. Add to their high concentrations of potassium, magnesium and B vitamins, the fact that dates are one of the healthiest fruits becomes clear.

Three dates are eaten each day at the beginning of Iftar for spiritual purposes during Ramadan. A key part of fasting is the right energy, and given that on average, 31 grammes of carbohydrates have been served, this is one of the perfect foods to improve.

In fact, it is known that fasting can have positive effects upon one's emotional well-being, but Ramadan's brain-boosting powers are even more remarkable. Also, a distinct decrease in the hormone cortisol released by the adrenal gland means that during and after Ramadan, stress levels are greatly reduced.

Since you'll be fasting during the day, Ramadan is the ideal time to ditch your unhealthy habits for good. Due to vices, including smoking and sucrant foods, your body can eventually become acclimatic in its absence until your dependency is knocked for good during Ramadan. Also in a community that should be easy to find during Ramadan, it is a lot easier to leave habits. Besides, once your fasting is over, your appetite will be even lower than before, and will be far less likely to indulge in your eating.

We already know that weight loss is indeed one of the potential physical results of fasting during Ramadan, though behind the scenes there are also quite a few healthy adjustments.

Ramadan fasting also serves as a wonderful detox for your body and is great to purify yourself spiritually. If you don't eat or drink all day, the body will be given the unusual opportunity to detoxify your digestive system all month.

As your body begins to consume fat to produce energy, dangerous contaminants that can occur in fatty deposits will also be burned off. It purifies the body and is the perfect step towards a constantly balanced lifestyle. This is the perfect turning stone.

If you do not eat the entire day in Ramadan, you will find your metabolism is more efficient, which raises the amount of nutrients you consume from food. This is due to the spike in a hormone called adiponectin, which is generated by a combination of fasting and eating late at night and enables your muscles to absorb more nutrients.

This leads to health benefits throughout the body since the nutrients they need to survive in different positions better absorb and use. Ramadan is the period of festivities and spiritual growth. It's also a challenging time for Muslims to have a fast trial for the month. Use these guides to keep up vigorously and fast all day long and celebrate cultural meals as sun sets.